Mo Verlaan

"Book of Light comprises a series of self-portraits based on a handful of analogue images that are only slightly different. Each portrait has gone through a series of individual manipulations. They have been developed in the darkroom and printed on vintage photographic papers, they received additional layers while printing. The resulting prints were scanned and digital transparencies were made in order to create a modern version of photogravure, a light-based intaglio printmaking process. UV light ‘etches’ the photograph into the light-sensitive polymer plate (solar plate) which is then inked and pressed on very thin damp washi paper using a Chine Collé technique. Both the Japanese Kitakata paper and the washi paper with the gold flakes are handmade and one-of-a-kind. The solar plate and the accompanying print are paired in one book volume. The black boxes for the book volumes are also completely handmade, making every book volume a unique work of art." (Mo Verlaan, 2022)